Briarwood parents urge Irvine Unified to adopt districtwide bullying‑prevention program

Christina Young, speaking on behalf of hundreds of Briarwood Elementary families, asked the Irvine Unified School District board to adopt an additional, research‑based bullying‑prevention program districtwide. "We're not reacting to a single incident but responding to ongoing patterns that leave children feeling anxious and unsafe at school," Young said during public comment, presenting a petition she said had more than 150 signatures.

Young told the board the community favors a structured prevention program (referred to in testimony as the "Alweas Bullying Prevention Program" or "OPPP") and cited research claims presented by parents that the program can reduce bullying by about 50 percent and is used in other California districts. She said parents appreciate existing district efforts — including PBIS and Zones of Regulation — but believe those efforts alone "are not sufficient on their own to address persistent patterns of bullying."

Superintendent Cassie Parham acknowledged the comment and said staff will respond to the petition. "We appreciate seeing you," Parham told the families in the room and said the district will follow up through staff channels.

Why it matters: parents framed the request as a prevention‑focused investment they say would strengthen school culture and student emotional safety. Board members did not take formal action on the petition at the meeting; staff committed to a response and to continuing dialogue with families.

What’s next: the district's annual survey remains open through Feb. 13 and staff indicated they read survey responses and use them to align district investments; families who filed the petition said they will continue to engage with the district on this request.